Police on Monday arrested a real estate businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmood in an attempted-rape and murder case filed by film actress Shamsunnahar Smriti, widely known as Pori Moni on the silver screen. Four other people, including three women, were also detained along with a huge quantity of liquor and other drugs at the same time.
Calling Prime Minister “mother” in a Facebook post, earlier Pori Moni alleged that she was not getting any help from police department and other sections of administration despite repeated complaints about the incident. In her Facebook post, which went viral within minutes, Pori Moni wrote: “Where will I seek justice? I couldn’t find it in the last four days. Everyone listens to the details and never follows through. I’m a girl, I’m an actress but before that, I’m a human being. I can’t remain silent.”
This latest incident clearly indicates how unsafe our girls and women are in present day Bangladesh. A popular movie star, who joined the film industry in 2015 and played lead female role in two dozen movies, can be violated at a posh club. The attackers were daring enough to insult Pori Moni because they are too close to the ruling elites. The 28-year-old actress as alleged, was assaulted by Nasir at Dhaka Boat Club four days ago (June 8). As they have powerful friends and well-wishers in the government, they were sure enough about their impunity even if they will be caught red-handed. So, Nasir who was also entertainment and cultural affairs director of the club did not hesitate to forcefully push a liquor bottle into her mouth, damaging her lips and teeth, and compelled her to drink. He hurled insults at her, groped her body and attempted to rape her. He also broke glasses and alcohol bottles and threw the shards at her.
The country is under the control of thugs with political or criminal connections. Nobody is well established and well reputed to be safe unless he or she is lucky to have protection of responsible police officials. The government should realise that the government is fast losing its grip over the government machinery. Such a situation is erosion of the power of government. The thugs will rule.
Most of our women rights NGOs have special relationship that is mutually helpful. Otherwise the helplessness of our women for group rape in buses and other places would have become an international issue. Never before our women were so much victims of sex abuse.
All this is the consequence of criminalised politics and money power. The whole nation is going through a moral degeneration. In a timid nation justice has to be very rare. We need more brave fighters like the young girl Pori Moni to raise our national awareness among the meek selfish ones.
